Laser flare
First Claim
1. Laser flare apparatus comprising:
- a semiconductor laser;
an energy source connected to the laser and having means for switching between a first state that that delivers energy to and activates the laser and a second state that does not activate the laser;
a package that contains the laser and the energy source; and
means for positioning the package at a height above an area to be illuminated.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compact laser flare illuminator includes a semiconductor diode laser array radiation source, an energy source for the radiation source that can be switched on and a housing which holds the array and energy source, while allowing egress of a beam. This illuminator may be used to facilitate night vision by persons wearing night vision goggles or using other types of wavelength-selective night vision devices. The housing may serve as a heat sink and may be equipped with a propulsion device and with fins for flight stabilization, as well as with a parachute for slowing descent from an altitude above an area to be illuminated. A wavelength filter that passes radiation only in a predetermined wavelength range and a lens or optical element to focus the laser radiation toward the area to be illuminated are optional features.
85 Citations
30 Claims
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1. Laser flare apparatus comprising:
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a semiconductor laser; an energy source connected to the laser and having means for switching between a first state that that delivers energy to and activates the laser and a second state that does not activate the laser; a package that contains the laser and the energy source; and means for positioning the package at a height above an area to be illuminated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Laser flare apparatus comprising:
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semiconductor laser means for emitting radiation when the laser means is activated; a heat sink positioned adjacent to the laser means to receive a portion or all of the energy that is dissipated as heat by the laser means; an energy source for and connected to the laser means and being switchable between a first state that delivers energy to and activates the laser means and a second state that does not activate the laser means; and a package thermally communicating with the heat sink, the package containing the laser means, the heat sink, and the energy source. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Laser flare apparatus comprising:
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a tubular body having a forward portion and a rearward portion and being capable of flight through air; a semiconductor diode laser array having an output power of at least 0.8 Watts and emitting laser radiation in the wavelength range of 0.7 μ
m≦
λ
≦
28 μ
m, the array being mounted in the forward portion of the tubular body and having an output beam, the laser array having a switch means for activating or deactivating the laser array;a battery pack connected to the switch means and mounted rearward from the laser array; and means for activating the switch while the tubular body is in flight. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A laser flare illumination system comprising,
a semiconductor laser means for emitting laser radiation, including a radiation component of a wavelength λ -
1, when the laser means is activated;
an energy source connected to the laser and having means for switching between a first state that delivers energy to and activates the laser and a second state that does not activate the laser; a package that contains the laser and the energy source; means for positioning the package at a height above an area to be illuminated; and night vision goggles to be worn by a person positioned adjacent to said area to be illuminated, where the night vision goggles are sensitive to radiation at said wavelength λ
1.
-
1, when the laser means is activated;
Specification